Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) in Rochester, NY

At The Plastic Surgery Group of Rochester our Plastic Surgeons perform eyelid surgery medically known as blepharoplasty or eye lift. This cosmetic procedure removes excess fat and skin from your eyelids.

Sagging lids and under-eye puffiness can make you appear tired, angry and older than you are. In addition, if upper eyelid skin becomes loose and drape enough, it can interfere with peripheral vision. If you are noticing signs of aging, eyelid surgery might be the right cosmetic procedure for you.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty

At the Plastic Surgery Group of Rochester, we perform an effective and fairly simple eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty. The procedure is designed to improve the appearance of the upper or lower eyelids, or both. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate vision problems related to sagging skin and make your eyes appear younger and more alert.

As we age, the effects can first begin to appear around the eyes, where the eyelids stretch and the supporting muscles weaken. As a result, excess skin and fat may gather above and below your eyes, causing droopy upper lids and bags underneath.

Candidates For Eyelid Surgery

If you have baggy upper eyelids, droopy lower eyelids, excess skin, and/or bags under your eyes, an eye lift may be the right option for you. Eyelid surgery is designed to:

  • Remove under-eye bags
  • Remove excess eyelid skin
  • Tighten the areas
  • Improve or restore vision obscured by excess eyelid skin and fat
  • Improve areas around the eyes to create a more rested, youthful appearance

Benefits Of Blepharoplasty

An obvious benefit of blepharoplasty is aesthetic: it can improve the areas around the eyes, which can improve the look of your entire face.

Upper eyelid surgery aesthetic benefits include:

  • Removal of excess skin that distorts the natural fold of the upper eyelids
  • Correcting puffiness that causes the eyes to appear tired

Lower eyelid surgery aesthetic benefits include:

  • Removing saggy, excess skin
  • Improving or correcting fine lines and wrinkles
  • Removing bags beneath the eyes
  • Correcting the droopiness that can cause whites of the eyes to show beneath the iris

An overall major benefit of eyelid surgery is that it can help you feel better about your appearance and yourself. Successful eyelid surgery can make your eyes look younger and more alert, enhancing your self-esteem and confidence.

Eyelid surgery also provides the functional benefit of removing excess droopy eyelid skin that can block vision and cause headaches. Plus, depending on the degree of peripheral vision loss, insurance plans may cover the procedure.

How Does A Blepharoplasty Repair Droopy Eyelids?

Blepharoplasty can repair aging, droopy eyelids by:

  • Removal of excess skin & fat
  • Removing muscle
  • Tightening remaining muscle
  • Tightening remaining skin

Blepharoplasty Procedure

The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. The eyelid surgery takes one to two hours depending on your unique needs. Typically, your surgeon will “hide” incisions in the creases of the upper lids and just below the lashes in the lower lids. If your plastic surgeon is performing the procedure on all four of your eyelids, the surgeon will probably work first on the upper eyelids, then on the lower ones.

During the eyelid surgery, your surgeon places the incisions inside the creases of your upper lids, and in your lower eyelids just below the lashes. The surgeon then works through the incisions, separating the skin from the muscle and fatty tissue beneath it. Excess fat is removed, and slack muscles and sagging skin are tightened. Finally, small sutures are used to close all the incisions.

Blepharoplasty Before And After

1863 imageset 1 before
eyelid surgery rochester ny after photo

Recovery From Eyelid Surgery

Most blepharoplasty procedures can be performed with mild sedation at an outpatient surgical center. Barring any complications, you can expect to go home the same day. You will likely experience some eye-watering, redness, swelling, numbness and bruising for about two weeks, with minimal pain. You will be given specific instructions from your surgeon that typically include avoiding certain activities for about one to three weeks, such as:

  • Sleeping flat on your back or on your face
  • Heavy lifting
  • Aerobic exercise, such as running
  • Swimming
  • Taking aspirin or ibuprofen
  • Smoking

Patients are also instructed to avoid wearing contact lenses for about two weeks and to protect the eyelids from the sun.

How Soon After My Blepharoplasty Can I Resume Normal Activities?

After about two days post surgery, your eyes should be comfortable enough to read of watch TV on a limited basis. You will need to keep your activity level to a minimum for about three to five days, avoiding all activities that could put stress on the incisions or elevate blood pressure. You will likely feel comfortable going out in public and returning to work in about ten days to two weeks.

Will I Have Visible Scars After My Eyelid Surgery?

Some degree of scarring is possible with any surgical procedure, but our skilled, experienced surgeons use techniques that can keep visible scars to a minimum.

When Will I Be Able To See My Blepharoplasty Results?

Most patients will see some results immediately after surgery, with more complete results appearing in about two weeks when redness, swelling and bruising have dissipated. Scarring can take up to six months or longer to fade.

Can An Eyelid Lift Repair Crow’s Feet, Dark Circles, Or Drooping Eyebrows?

In order to effectively treat those problems, you may need to consider having additional procedures in conjunction with your blepharoplasty, such as:

What Procedures Can Be Combined With Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery has no effect on facial wrinkles such as crow’s feet, dark circles beneath your eyes, or drooping sagging eyebrows. If you would like to treat these problems as well, our surgeons can perform your eyelid surgery in conjunction with operations such as a facelift, brow lift ,or nonsurgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and collagen.

Risks Of Blepharoplasty

Although eyelid surgery is considered a generally safe procedure, as with any other surgery, there are risks involved. These risks include:

  • Swelling and bruising around surgical site
  • Reaction to anesthesia
  • Double or blurred vision
  • Dry or irritated eyes

Side effects such as uneven healing and permanent scarring are rare. However, if these effects do occur, they may require surgical correction. Scars from blepharoplasty are often well-concealed and usually fade with time.

Schedule A Consultation

Interested in learning more about eyelid surgery? Call (585) 922-5840 to schedule a consultation at our office in Rochester NY.

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  • If you have an urgent question or are experiencing an emergency, please do not use this contact form. Call our office please directly at (585) 922-5840. If this is a true medical emergency, please call 911.

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